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KR Models KRM-HUN-OO-R-79

Hunslet Bo-Bo in British Steel Yellow/White "Big Keith" No.79 Diesel Locomotive

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 10 (2005 to 2015) Rebuilding of the Railways
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

The Scunthorpe Hunslet Bo-Bo

In the 1960s British Steel planned the multi-million-pound refurbishment of the Scunthorpe steelworks site known as the Anchor Project, of which work began in the 1970s. Part of the project was a fleet of new locomotives to take molten iron in “torpedo” wagons to the BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking plant), These powerful locomotives were to be designed and built by the Hunslet engine company.

Work began on the 10 locomotives in 1972 and was completed by the end of 1973, numbered 70-79 (Works numbers 7281-7290) with one more joining them, number 80 (WN 7474) in 1977. Built with two Rolls DV8 engines, these locomotives became the iron hauliers of Scunthorpe. In 1990 they were re-engined with two Perkins CV12s and fitted with remote control operation as part of the project to continuously improve the site. In more recent years, two locomotives (No.77 and 78) have been scrapped.

Number 79 was later rebuilt as number 30 and fitted with a new style control system in the 2000s and named “Fusion”. Most recently a new overhaul project began in 2015 with 72 and 73 the first to receive this treatment to assure the fleets’ use in years to come.

Written by Andrew Plumtree, Publicity
Officer, Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

KR Models Hunslet Bo‑Bo “Big Keith” No. 79 is a die‑cast diesel locomotive presented in British Steel yellow and white livery. The model is supplied with DCC version 21, carries the manufacturer part number KRM‑HUN‑OO‑R‑79 and represents the British Rail sectorisation era.

The prototype locomotive was built by the Hunslet engine company for the Scunthorpe steelworks as part of the Anchor Project, a multi‑million‑pound refurbishment of the site that began in the 1970s. Ten locomotives were produced between 1972 and 1973 (works numbers 7281‑7290) and a further unit was added in 1977 (works number 7474). Originally fitted with two Rolls DV8 engines, they were re‑engined in 1990 with Perkins CV12s and later equipped with remote‑control operation. Number 79 was rebuilt as number 30 in the 2000s and named “Fusion”; the fleet has undergone further overhauls from 2015 onwards.

The model reflects the appearance of the rebuilt No. 79, including its British Steel yellow and white colour scheme. It is intended for use on layouts that model the Scunthorpe steelworks during the sectorisation period of British Rail.